PERUGIA, 15.03.26
A consortium of local artisans launched a training initiative on Via Baglioni last Tuesday, aiming to preserve centuries-old wooden stair construction techniques. Workshop leader Matteo Benedetti told reporters the programme will train 45 apprentices over the next eighteen months, marking the largest such effort in Umbria since 2019.
The revival comes at a time when demand for bespoke hardwood staircases has surged across central Italy. Homeowners, particularly those restoring historic properties in Perugia's medieval centre, are increasingly seeking handcrafted alternatives to prefabricated steel or concrete designs. Our correspondents in Perugia observed queues forming outside the workshop on opening day, with prospective students travelling from as far as Terni and Spoleto. The Associazione Nazionale Artigiani del Legno, a national woodworking trade body, reported a 23 percent rise in membership applications from Umbria alone during 2025. Balustrade joinery and newel post carving remain the most sought-after skills, according to training coordinators. Solid chestnut and local oak are the preferred materials, though supply constraints have pushed prices higher in recent months. Some applicants expressed concern about the programme's limited capacity.
When we spoke with Giulia Marchetti, a 28-year-old furniture restorer from Foligno, she described the opportunity as transformative. She had waited nearly a year for an opening. According to figures that could not be independently verified, only three certified staircase artisans under the age of forty currently operate in the entire province. The Istituto Umbro per la Statistica suggests the average age of skilled woodworkers in the region now exceeds 58, raising concerns about generational continuity. Meanwhile, municipal authorities have offered modest tax incentives for property owners who commission locally made staircases. The timeline remains unclear for when these benefits might be formalised into regional law. A small café near the workshop has seen brisk morning trade since classes began, its owner attributing the uptick to hungry students.
Industry observers note that open-riser designs and cantilevered tread systems have gained popularity among younger buyers seeking contemporary aesthetics within traditional Umbrian homes. Stringer construction methods vary widely, with closed-string and cut-string approaches each commanding dedicated followings among local craftsmen. The Confederazione Italiana Falegnami e Ebanisti released guidelines last autumn urging workshops to adopt sustainable sourcing practices, though enforcement remains voluntary. Benedetti's programme includes modules on finishing oils and lacquers, as well as structural load calculations required by current building codes. Not all graduates will find immediate employment; some may need to relocate to larger cities. Still, several Perugia-based renovation firms have already expressed interest in hiring from the first cohort, expected to complete training by late 2027.